Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating and over-whelming. Life changing events can happen to anyone.

Home-Start Dumfries is a local charity providing support to families in Dumfries with at least one child under five years, who are facing challenges in their lives. We carefully match trained volunteers who are either parents, grandparents or experienced carers to provide weekly practical and emotional support to families in their own home environment through a confidential, non-judgemental and nurturing approach. We respond to the individual needs of the family, helping to reduce isolation and loneliness, improve mental health and wellbeing, encouraging engagement within the local community and help increase the confidence and resilience of families.

Home-Start Dumfries is affiliated to the national organisation, Home-Start UK, who provide advice and support and has a strong and thorough Quality Assurance review process ensuring the effective running of our scheme.

Home-Start Dumfries is responsible for its own management and funding, run by a board of trustees.

We are proud to be Volunteer Charter Champions!

What being a Volunteer Charter Champion means to us? Our volunteers are the heart of our service, we would not exist and be able to support young families in DG1 and DG2 without them. We value our volunteers and honourer all 10 Charter principles which can be found here: Volunteer Charter – Volunteer Scotland